Bring praise to Jesus

Introduction

We are continuing our way through the book of Colossians this morning, moving through chapter one.

We need a little recap of where we have been to set the stage for today’s passage.

Paul and Timothy in their letter to the Colossians began by thanking God for the people.

They praised God for their faith, and their love for one another.

They prayed for the peoples spiritual growth and the growth of the gospel in their lives and the world.

They prayed that the people would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will so that they might walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.

They prayed that the people would bear fruit in good work and that the people would have joy and give thanks to the Father because He qualified them to share in the great inheritance.

They prayed all of these things

They thanked God that he moved them out of complete and utter darkness and into the kingdom of His Son, Jesus who He loves and brought redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

This is all building up to our passage for today.

Our passage today is one of praise!

We will see through Paul and Timothy’s praise for Christ why we can tune our hearts to praise Jesus.

Read

Creation

Image of the Invisible God.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Invisible

1 a: incapable by nature of being seen

b: inaccessible to view: HIDDEN

2: IMPERCEPTIBLE, INCONSPICUOUS

What does it mean the Jesus is the image of the invisible God?

There is a lot packed into this first statement of Paul and Timothy’s praise.

God is described as

1 Timothy 6:16 ESV

who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

1 Tim

If you think with me to when Moses had returned up Mount Sinai after destroying the first tablets. Moses asks God to show Moses God’s glory.

God responds

“I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’” 33:19

English Standard Version Chapter 33

But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”

English Standard Version Chapter 33

Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”

Who has been around an electric welder?

Have you ever been looking when you shouldn’t? Or perhaps were welding and didn’t get your hood down quick enough.

It can be painful. The brightness actually burns your eyes. That’s the same reason we don’t stare up at the sun.

God has to be invisible to us in this state lest we die.

The question then comes to us of - How can we know someone who is invisible?

Bill Graham made the statement in one of his messages.

“Well you say what does God look like? Can you see God? Have you ever seen him? I’ve never seen God. I know He exists. I've never seen the wind. Have you ever seen the wind? I see the effects of the wind, but I've never seen the wind. There's a mystery to it.”

Part of that mystery though is revealed to us!

God, in Himself has a portion of Himself that we can see. That portion is Jesus!

English Standard Version Chapter 1

He is the image of the invisible God

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), .

The NIV Application Commentary: Colossians and Philemon The Image of the Invisible God, the Firstborn over All Creation (1:15–17)

As the image of God, Christ is an exact, as well as a visible, representation of God (Col. 1:19; 2:9), illuminating God’s essence.

Jesus is the very substance of God’s purposes and intentions for creation. He is God’s pattern for all of life, and through him God will restore a broken and fallen creation in his likeness.[1]

Paul is using this phrase here, and specifically the the word image to conjure up pictures in the readers minds.

This should bring to mind for us a picture of creation. When God created Adam and Eve in His image and this creation was very good.

Paul is pointing to the fact though that Jesus brings out the ultimate expression of God’s creation of all human life.

All human life apart from Jesus is tainted by sin.

Jesus was and is the only one who was fully faithful to God.

Jesus is also God’s faithful response to us as humans.

The NIV Application Commentary: Colossians and Philemon The Image of the Invisible God, the Firstborn over All Creation (1:15–17)

As the perfect image of God, Christ teaches us what God intended humans to be: “renewed in knowledge in the image of [our] Creator”

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Colossians & Philemon God’s Son Is Lord of Creation (1:15–18)

God’s good intent in creating human life is to enjoy a faithful relationship with every person. Because of Christ, this intent can now be realized for those who are in him.

God wants us to see and praise Him. He wants us to have a relationship with Him. But our sin gets in the way.

The NIV Application Commentary: Colossians and Philemon The Image of the Invisible God, the Firstborn over All Creation (1:15–17)

In Christ we see who God is—Creator and Redeemer; what God is like—a God of mercy and love; and what God does—one who sends his Son to rescue people from the dominion of darkness and brings about the reconciliation of all creation through his death on a cross.

The NIV Application Commentary: Colossians and Philemon The Image of the Invisible God, the Firstborn over All Creation (1:15–17)

Calvin comments that in Christ God shows us “his righteousness, goodness, wisdom, power, in short, his entire self.”

How should the fact that Jesus is the image of the invisible God impact us?

We at this time can’t physically see Jesus like those when He lived.

Piggy backing off of the Billy Graham quote I mentioned earlier, have you ever seen the wind?

Have you seen prayers answered?

Answered prayers are for us like the effects of the wind.

One example from my own life was when I began praying specifically for what God’s direction for my life should be.

Answered prayer - As I began praying and meeting with our pastor -

God answered that prayer and desire of my heart and through that experience He caused me to grow. I look back at that time now when doubts creep in if I am really doing what God called me to do.

I am sure many of you could share examples of answered prayers as well and if you have time with one another I would encourage that.

We should also be sure to share with each other when our prayer requests are answered that we can praise God together.

A couple other examples from scripture come from when

Jesus spoke to Thomas in

English Standard Version Chapter 20

Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Thomas had doubted that Jesus lived but his mind was changed when he saw Christ.

Peter writes in

1 Peter 1:8 ESV

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

When God moves and works in our lives we see Christ.

This is one of the reasons that Paul and Timothy praise God. They praise God because He gave His son that we might see his goodness, wisdom, power, His entire self.

Firstborn of all Creation.

The next claim for praise that we see is that Jesus is the firstborn of all creation.

When we hear firstborn we of course generally associate the term with birth.

We have the image of the first child born into a family.

While this is true, Jesus was Mary’s firstborn child, that fact that the phrase includes creation can be a little puzzling.

The phrase has been misconstrued in the past to mean that Jesus was a created being.

Though His physical body was built as ours, knit together in his mothers womb. We know from passages like that He has existed as part of the trinity for all time.

He has no beginning and now end in the same way that the Father and the Spirit have no beginning or end.

We also know from our Bibles that Jesus was not the firstborn human, that of course was Adam.

Though Adam was created, not born, he is still the firstborn of creation. He is the first being that was made in God’s image and has the status that comes with that.

Another difficulty presents itself in that fact that God refers to the nation of Israel as His first born in .

We

They were to be God’s chosen people to bring Him to the rest of world in a specific way.

This shows God’s faithfulness to His people and defines Israels special place in God’s plan.

So how does it then relate to Jesus?

How then is Paul using the term here?

Each of these firstborn that I have just referenced ultimately failed.

Adam and Eve ate of the tree they were told not to and broke their relationship with God.

They could no longer live with God in the beauty He had created.

Israel, God’s chosen people, did not live up to the standard that God set for them.

God initially gave them the 10 commandments but they had already broken them before Moses even made it back down the hill.

They themselves then added exponentially to what God had asked of them.

They placed other things before God because of the idolatry in their hearts.

The Israelites also turned their affections inward toward themselves rather than outward to share the love of God.

Both of these examples we see failed.

We see in our verse though that Jesus is also told to be the firstborn.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Colossians & Philemon God’s Son Is Lord of Creation (1:15–18)

Paul’s handling of this biblical tradition, Christ and not Israel is cast as God’s Son (1:13). God’s faithfulness to Christ ensures his resurrection and triumph over death, and in him over all those evil powers that keep a fallen creation captive to spiritual darkness and the consequences of human sins (1:13–14).

The firstborn in scripture expresses much more than the timing of a persons birth but also that of the birthright.

In the Old Testament we see that the firstborn had a birthright. This birthright gave them a privileged status and responsibility within the family.

We can’t push this idea too far without making the son less than the father, which He is not we know because of the the trinity but there are some important points to be made which Paul and Timothy are trying to get across.

It was primarily the firstborn’s responsibility to carry on the fathers legacy and mission.

Perhaps this is some of the reason that the older son was so angry when his younger prodigal brother returned.

The younger pordigal had squandered what his father had given him and now came back

In having the feast to welcome home his son, the father was now using what technically belonged to the older brother to welcome him back.

When we look at Jesus as the firstborn that Paul and Timothy reference here, He both carried out the legacy and the mission of God on earth and continues to do so to this day.

Jesus stated in John 6:38

Jesus says in John 6:38

English Standard Version Chapter 6

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

Jesus is God’s true template for humanity

Jesus did the work of His father.

The fact that Jesus lived a perfect sinless life.

The fact that He worked and did all that the father asked of Him.

These are reasons why He is our example to be followed.

We don’t follow Jesus or seek to be like him for no specific reason.

We follow Jesus and seek to be like Him because He is the perfect example of humanity.

We follow Jesus and seek to be like Him because He is our example.

Imitation is one of the greatest forms of flattery and that is what God asks of us because we are made in His image.

s

All things created through Christ.

The cosmic Christ.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Colossians & Philemon The New Creation (1:15–20)

By linking the lordship of Christ to God’s creation of the entire cosmos, Paul’s tacit claim is that Christians have been remade into a new humanity, characterized by their holistic spirituality. Against his ascetic opponents at Colosse, who have rejected the material for the spiritual, Paul confesses Christ as Lord over both worlds; he is the “cosmic Christ.” Therefore, believers are to resist any teaching that divides their life into separate spheres, material and spiritual, which would also divide their loyalty to Christ. If Christ is Lord over all of God’s creation, then those in Christ have been reformed into a new creation and embody God’s reconciliation of all things (v. 20).

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Colossians & Philemon The New Creation (1:15–20)

Wisdom teaches that every aspect of human life (including its religious, social, political, family and economic dimensions) is to make visible the Creator’s invisible intentions (see Heb 11:1–2). If God is true and good, so are the intentions for all that the Creator has made.

Cultivation

Jesus holds all things together.

Kingship

Jesus is Head of the church.

Kingship

Jesus the peacemaker.

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Reconciliation

Bringing together of two parties that are estranged or in dispute. Jesus Christ is the one who brings together God and man, with salvation as the result of the union. Reconciliation basically means “change” or “exchange.” The idea is of a change of relationship, an exchange of antagonism for goodwill, enmity for friendship. Attitudes are transformed and hostility ceases.

[1]Robert W. Wall, Colossians & Philemon, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), .

How is your walk with Jesus going?

We are made in the image of God with our own personalities and attitudes.

We all have to become more like Christ.

That doesn’t mean becoming a heard of Christian robots.

But it does mean conforming and being conformed into His image.

This goes back to earlier the the book when Paul was praying for the Colossians to praying for them to grow in the knowledge of the will of God.

This takes time and obedience.

Take the example of our human relationships. It takes specific, intentional time to really get to know one another.

Paul knew this was and difficult process which is why he referenced to formation of Christ in us to that of the birth of a child in Galatians 4:19

English Standard Version Chapter 4

my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!

There is difficulty and pain but ultimately Joy and fulfillment in the end.

The title of being firstborn also shows Jesus status.

states for us.

Psalm 89:27 ESV

And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

In the context, this Psalm is referring to King David’s offspring. It has messianic undertones and refer directly to Jesus.

This metaphor distinguishes Jesus from all other authorities of the earth as being before them in time and greater than all of them.

is itself a praise to the Lord.

Psalm 89:1 ESV

I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

The Psalm has many things in it that point the Messiah and His authority.

This is how Paul and Timothy are using firstborn here.

This is Jesus authority, he is the firstborn over all creation.

He is the authority and has the right to rule.

For this reason we can praise Jesus for who He is.

Conclusion - Praising Jesus.

So how is your praise for Jesus?

I know that praises aren’t always going flow from our lips, but are we in a constant state of awe and wonder at just what Jesus has done for us?

At night we do a bedtime story with Ayden. We sometimes do an extra story but always read one from the Jesus Storybook Bible. I would highly recommend this to anyone doing story time with young children.

In the book it talks about God’s secret rescue plan. It is of course not a secret to us now but it is the story of Jesus, coming to earth to bring redemption. To end the time of tears and sadness.

To pass on God’s wonderful never stopping,

It talks about Jesus coming to show people what God’s love is like, His wonderful never stopping, Never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love.

This is why we praise Jesus as our Lord, our Savior, our King, and our friend.

Though He is as unattainable as God, He is as reachable as the friend sitting next to us.

Though He is greater than all kings and kingdoms, he is knit together as we are in human flesh.

We can sing a praise because Jesus is the Lord over all creation.

We can sing praise because of Jesus special relationship with the Father.

We can praise because God has made a way for us to move from darkness to light.

We can praise because though our time here is fleeting, He has given us the opportunity to become like His son.

To share His love with those around us.

The day will be no more pain, sorrow, and tears, but only joy, peace, love, and happiness. This is the hope that we have and that we sing.

.

All things created through Christ.

The cosmic Christ.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Colossians & Philemon The New Creation (1:15–20)

By linking the lordship of Christ to God’s creation of the entire cosmos, Paul’s tacit claim is that Christians have been remade into a new humanity, characterized by their holistic spirituality. Against his ascetic opponents at Colosse, who have rejected the material for the spiritual, Paul confesses Christ as Lord over both worlds; he is the “cosmic Christ.” Therefore, believers are to resist any teaching that divides their life into separate spheres, material and spiritual, which would also divide their loyalty to Christ. If Christ is Lord over all of God’s creation, then those in Christ have been reformed into a new creation and embody God’s reconciliation of all things (v. 20).

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Colossians & Philemon The New Creation (1:15–20)

Wisdom teaches that every aspect of human life (including its religious, social, political, family and economic dimensions) is to make visible the Creator’s invisible intentions (see Heb 11:1–2). If God is true and good, so are the intentions for all that the Creator has made.

Cultivation

Jesus holds all things together.

Kingship

Jesus is Head of the church.

Jesus the peacemaker.

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Reconciliation

Bringing together of two parties that are estranged or in dispute. Jesus Christ is the one who brings together God and man, with salvation as the result of the union. Reconciliation basically means “change” or “exchange.” The idea is of a change of relationship, an exchange of antagonism for goodwill, enmity for friendship. Attitudes are transformed and hostility ceases.

[1]Robert W. Wall, Colossians & Philemon, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), .